CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL GOLD CUP DAY 2024

The favourite here is Majborough and I can see why everyone is latching on to him now Sir Gino is a non runner. He is a big stamp of a horse, a horse you would describe as a chaser in the making. While I respect him, he did have the run of the race last time out and although he will improve, he did get beat by two of today’s runners in Kargese and STORM HEART. I am siding with the latter as I don’t think he was given the best ride that day by Paul Townend. He was wide throughout and lost many lengths, yet still rallied to come home 2nd. Without the wide trip and if Paul Townend sat in behind the leader, he may well have won. Even so to come home 2nd and not have the best trip, shows how much talent the horse has.

He was a 22 length winner on debut and I think Cheltenham is going to really suit the horse. He seems to have a high cruising speed and with the undulations and Cheltenham hill, it can only be a good thing. He also clearly sees out his races really well and as bets go, with 4 places on offer, he should place at the very least. Paul Townend has had 4 winners at the time of writing and is having a very good race. He can start day 1 off with bang. E/W.

 

My handicap bet of the week. I am happy to side with him and him alone even with 23 runners. It is what it is or so to speak, I put him up as my Handicap bet of the week, I go out on my sword. I don’t want any second chances here, my knowledge tells me he is an absolutely good thing. As much as I feel he is a good thing, we are still going to need some luck in running with 23 runners but we have no better man in the saddle than Jack Kenndy. The reason he is my bet of the week is simply down to his handicap mark of 140. I think he could be anywhere between 7lb – 12lb well in, that’s how much I far I think he is ahead of the handicapper. We say it all the time at the festival, State Man won this race off 141 and I am not comparing the horses in any way, just that like State Man he is in the same mould of a horse who is very well handicapped. 

Why is he so well handicapped? You just got to look at his form. 2nd to Slade Steel who went and won the Supreme Novice Hurdle, he was then 2nd to Farren Glory in the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle. He then went and beat Mizaur West easily at Leopardstown over Christmas who went on to win his next race. Last time out KING OF KINGSFIELD was 3rd to Ballyburn and Slade Steel in another Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival. Both those above horses went on to win at this year’s Cheltenham Festival and both must be rated 155-160.

If KING OF KINGSFIELD had run in the Supreme Novice, you have to think he would have placed, or at least gone close to placing, meaning he would have run to around 145 – 150. 

He carries 10st 12lb on his back and it is interesting that Gordon Elliott has Pied Piper in the race with 12st on his back. That entry gives KING OF KINGSFIELD less weight on his back and that is only a positive. I am as confident as confident comes in a handicap race and although we do need a nice passage, this is a horse who jumps very fast and slick, he travels very well, he has gears and has an amazing turn of foot. 

 

Good Luck